SAM GRIFFEN
Nonprofit Professional
Santa Clara,CA
Summary
Nonprofit program support specialist with proven expertise in event coordination and accessibility initiatives. Skilled in fostering community connections and supporting individuals with disabilities through inclusive programming. Engaged in ongoing volunteer work and professional development to strengthen nonprofit operations and community outreach efforts.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Program & Event Volunteer
Special Olympics
Bay Area
12.2025 - Current
- Coordinated and executed regional events including Spring Games, San Rafael Bocce Competition, and Los Gatos Bocce Bash silent auction fundraiser, enhancing community engagement and support
- Assisted with athlete registration and volunteer logistics, ensuring smooth day-of event operations for participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Contributed to accessible, inclusive programming that fostered connections among athletes, families, and community stakeholders
Project Contributor – Educational Accessibility Initiative
PACE Autism Organization
12.2025 - Current
- Contributed to Porchlight Education Series, a large-scale video project delivering autism awareness and family education resources to diverse audiences
- Coordinate with nonprofit leadership and project contributors on content planning, production timelines, and long-term accessibility goals
- Supported content operations through video editing, captioning, visual design, and development of scalable resources for enhanced accessibility
- Assisted with community outreach and marketing initiatives to increase organizational visibility and foster family engagement
Elementary School Teacher – 4th Grade (ELA & History)
San Jose Unified School District
San Jose
01.2024 - 03.2025
- Delivered full-time instruction in a high-needs, diverse classroom while managing all coordination with special education staff, families, and administrators
- Implemented individualized accommodations aligned with 504 plans and IEPs for students with learning differences, medical needs, and behavioral challenges
- Coordinated communication with multidisciplinary teams, families, and support staff to support student progress and alignment on outcomes
- Implemented structured intervention strategies and proactive crisis de-escalation techniques to minimize behavioral incidents
- Maintained compliance documentation and progress records for 30+ students, ensuring accurate tracking of educational needs and interventions
Academic & Behavioral Interventionist
San Jose Unified School District
San Jose
09.2023 - 01.2024
- Improved reading proficiency for 87% of monitored students through data-driven instructional strategies
- Delivered targeted academic and behavioral interventions for individual students and small groups, addressing diverse support needs to enhance learning outcomes
- Monitored and documented student progress, collaborating with classroom teachers to reinforce accommodations and instructional modifications that support student success
Recreation Leader & Emergency Service Worker
City of San Jose
San Jose
12.2016 - 12.2021
- Deployed as Emergency Service Worker during COVID-19, delivering frontline support at homeless shelters — assisting vulnerable populations with resource navigation and crisis stabilization
- Maintained confidentiality and adhered to public health compliance standards in high-pressure service environments
- Designed and facilitated youth programs in community center settings, enhancing participant engagement through coordinated schedules and activities
- Supervised and supported children and adolescents in structured environments, promoting safety and inclusion while fostering active participation
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
San José State University
08-2023
Skills
- Program & Event Coordination
- Volunteer Coordination & Support
- Community Outreach & Engagement
- Stakeholder & Family Communication
- Crisis management
- Data tracking
- Accessibility programming
- Team collaboration
- Cross-functional Team Collaboration
- Community engagement
- Nonprofit Operations Support
- Salesforce / CRM (in progress)
- Google Workspace
- Canva
- Video Editing & Captioning
- Video editing
- Event management tools
Certifications And Recognition
- Microsoft Learn: Accessibility Fundamentals, 2026
- W3C: Digital Accessibility Foundations, 2026
- Alison: Understanding Disability & Inclusive Practices, 2026
- Coursera: Project Management Basics, 2026
- Communications Achievement Award, 2023
- COVID-19 Response Recognition Award, 2021
Timeline
Program & Event Volunteer
Special Olympics
12.2025 - Current
Project Contributor – Educational Accessibility Initiative
PACE Autism Organization
12.2025 - Current
Elementary School Teacher – 4th Grade (ELA & History)
San Jose Unified School District
01.2024 - 03.2025
Academic & Behavioral Interventionist
San Jose Unified School District
09.2023 - 01.2024
Recreation Leader & Emergency Service Worker
City of San Jose
12.2016 - 12.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
San José State University